Where does ReThrive get their strings?
ReThrive Designs uses strings from multiple sources. We take donations from guitar players all over the country and we will gladly accept yours. Visit our contact page and send us a message. We can even create jewelry for you or your loved ones using your strings. We also have a partnership with a guitar string manufacturing company in which we purchase seconds or damaged strings.
Can I send you my strings for custom jewelry?
ReThrive Designs will gladly create custom jewelry for you. Please do not send us strings that are dirty, rusty or highly used. When sending strings, please clip off all coiled ends. Do NOT send the thin non-wound strings as we cannot use them. Sort your strings by color and size before shipping them to us. If these things are not done, we will charge a prep fee for your custom pieces. If donating strings, please follow these guidelines as well. You can't imagine the time we have spent sorting, cleaning and unwinding intertwined messes of strings. We appreciate your attention to this matter.
What are guitar strings made of?
Silver strings are about 90% stainless with small amounts of nickel. Some are all stainless. The gold strings are made of bronze. The rose gold colored strings are made of phosphorus bronze, which is a combination of bronze and copper.
What beads and findings do you use?
We use assorted beads & findings in our designs including: stainless, bronze, solid copper, pewter, antique silver plated, gold plate over stainless, freshwater pearls, crystals, ceramic and stone. Almost all bracelets are finished with stainless ends, 15mm lobster clasps and a stainless split ring chain. If gold is required, the piece has gold plate over stainless lobster clasps and a matching or stainless chain. If rose gold or copper, we use copper clasps, antique copper or stainless chains.
What about tarnishing?
We cannot guarantee that plated materials will not tarnish. This is why we aim to use the least amount of plated materials as possible. Tarnishing does depend on how acidic your skin is. Please note that ReThrive Jewelry cannot determine how your skin will respond to guitar strings nor how the guitar strings will react to your skin. We do recommend storing jewelry, with plated materials, in a air tight storage baggie with anti-tarnish strips. We do not provide the strips for you! You can purchase these online. Silver strings are about 90% stainless with small amounts of nickel. Some are all stainless. Silver strings generally do not tarnish, however, when exposed to constant contact with salt water, all stainless can corrode. The gold strings are made of bronze and they deepen color with age. We personally like the color of aged bronze. The rose gold colored strings are made of phosphorus bronze, which is a combination of bronze and copper. These strings respond much like copper and they will patina much more quickly. The major factor impacting this is your skin chemistry and or how hot and sweaty you may be while wearing the jewelry. ReThrive is not responsible for how your skin may or may not react to phosphorus bronze strings.
How do I clean my jewelry?
We recommend Brasso Metal Polish for all strings. Brasso is easy to use and helps polish the strings. If you do all these things, you should be able to enjoy your ReThrive Jewelry for years to come. You can polish silver plated beads or findings with a jewelry cloth.
What happens is something breaks? (PLEASE READ THOROUGHLY)
First of all, it is rare for guitar strings to break after they are made into jewelry. We have pieces that are over 8 years old and still going strong. Each design has unique elements that may affect the life of the piece. We recommend the following guidelines:
1. DO NO wear your jewelry daily without taking it off.
2. DO NOT swim in salt water with your jewelry on. If you shower with it on, you should dry it in case your water is harsh and has rust in it. We personally never swim with jewelry on because of the chemicals in the water. It's also an easy way to lose something.
3. PLEASE learn to take it off and put it on according to the video instructions. This prevents undue stress on the ends or clasps.
Limited Warranty:
If your piece should break, and if you have followed the above guidelines, ReThrive will replace or repair broken strings on your jewelry if possible. There are exceptions to this rule which include and may not be limited to the UnBroken, Endurance and the Serenity Bracelets.
End caps may be delicate and we cannot guarantee them. This is why we suggest not wearing your pieces without removing them. This is beautiful costume jewelry meant for fun and for the support of mental health advocacy. Your purchase makes this possible. Our lobster clasps are the best we can find, comprised of solid stainless steel. Every once in a while they might break, but we have not experienced it. Again, taking care to treat your jewelry respectfully will increase the life of the piece.
If a clasp breaks, please purchase a repair ticket. Please note: this repair ticket is not for the UnBroken, Endurance or Serenity Bracelets. They cannot be repaired.